Ditto. It should be a sticky for W210s...rust spots are:

1) All door frames - TSB issued - check yours at the dealer for service, they apply a wax based sealer behind the weather stripping. Pull back the weather stripping around outer door frame to check. If there is existing rust, they should fix the rust for free, then apply the service wax.

2) All wheel well arches

3) Hood lid, at front, near grille

4) Fuel flap

5) Trunk lid at bottom corners, and especially around the lock cylinder

6) Less common - around trim pieces and tail lights.

7) Spring Perches. The big one. Just do a search.

I don't think it is a case of lack of rust protection, the W210 is galvanized, as the W124 was. Likely due more to the manufacturing process. Some causes of this particular chassis rust have been attributed to sharp edges created during the manufacturing/stamping process of the sheet metal - edges served as the starting point for corrosion.

It is a definite issue for any W210, especially older models. I'm lucky in that my current E430 has done quite well, but I have to address minor rust in all spots listed above.

The previous E430 I had briefly (and sold) was a mess of rust. The more I found, the more disgusted I was. Tons of rust.

In contrast, my 1989 300E served over 17 Canadian winters and was only starting to rust when I sold it this past February.

Night and day between the W124 and the W210 in terms of body corrosion.

Falsa - good luck but I don't think you'll get anywhere with MB. No harm done in trying though! I complained to the dealer but stopped short of contacting MB Canada.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Damn, that sounds more like an old Kia problem. I would ditch the car if I had to provide it that kind of pampering. Shame on Mercedes for cutting corners on the newer cars. Is this due to more green party influence (i.e. water-based sealants, etc)? My 380SE has no body rust at all.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

From what I have seen, it has been due to problems at the manufacturing stage. Not a lack of rust-proofing or galavanzing, but rather machining errors.

Apparently, the door frame rust was caused by a burr in the tool that rounded the frame corners - the burr left sharp edges exposed, which initiated the rusting.

All W210s made during a certain time frame will have this rust. The bulletin covers the chassis numbers. Don't think yours is affected? Peel back the outer door weather stripping and take a peek. Most older W210s will have rust there.

A shame, really. The W210s are great cars, and beautiful, IMO. Fantastic engines and transmissions. But the chassis...

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

and the wire harness .

__________________
1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

---------------------------------------------------------
1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

the W124 has the wire harness problem.

__________________
2010 W212 E350 Sport
1996 W210 E320 (220K miles)

When I get a newer car in a couple of years I think I'll skip the W210 and go right to the W211.

I saw a 1998 E300D at a train station that was rusted like crazy! Looked like a 20 year old car, amazing.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You'll need one after 2004 or you might find the same problem.
I think you may be wrong...

Of course by now, MB knows to make their car almost rust proof. I would expect MB is smart enough to do this as rust should be a thing of the past. Needless to say, if my car showed any rust I would dump it and try a Lexus.

I believe that was more of a problem in the W124 M104/M119 engines.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Ah yes. Another reason I love the 124. No rust on either of ours.

The first vehicle I ever owned that just would not rust was, believe it or not, a 1986 Dodge Caravan.

Maybe the EPA has a new rule prohibiting rustproofing. They may want the cars to decompose and disintegrate rather than hanging around forever like styrofoam.

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Yup, my 300E was a rust-proof tank. One damn fine built car.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Just for the record, my older 96' has zero rust spots on it.

__________________
2010 W212 E350 Sport
1996 W210 E320 (220K miles)

Have you looked closely enough?

You may be one of the lucky ones. Try peeling back the weather stripping on your outer door frame and inspect it. I would be surprised if you found no rust at all. Look at the bottom of the door frames as well.

I'm not bashing the 210 overall - it's a fantastic car to drive and I love mine. But the rust issues are unforgiveable, IMO. Sad to see such a beautiful car rust like a freakin' Lada left in a salt bath.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon